PA Environment Digest

The Schuylkill Action Network has launched two contests for students of all ages, and the theme of both is the Schuylkill River.

For the first time, students can enter the Schuylkill Stories Contest by submitting videos up to three minutes long by March 1. The theme of the inaugural competition is “This is My Watershed.”

The Schuylkill Action Network is seeking videos from students explaining how and why they enjoy the Schuylkill River, as well as the many waterways flowing into it.

For the fifth year, students can also vie for a Drinking Water Scholastic Award with nominations due on March 1.

These are given to select classes and youth groups who carry out educational programs or restoration projects that help to keep the Schuylkill River clean.

Previous winners have planted trees along streams, created a campus rain garden, given presentations in their community and more.

One prize or award will be given to the winners of each contest in four different age categories. These include kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade, ninth through twelfth grade, and college or university. The Schuylkill Stories Contest also offers a grand prize of a Green School Makeover Plan.

This entitles the winner to a visit at his or her school with a team of environmental professionals. This team will recommend different ways to make the surrounding campus environmentally friendly.

“We at the Schuylkill Action Network really want to encourage creative solutions to cleaning up the Schuylkill River, and that’s what we’re trying to foster with these contests,” said Tom Davidock, an employee at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary who, among others, leads the Schuylkill Action Network. “Through these programs, projects, and videos, we’ll be able to showcase just how important the river is to the students of the watershed, and help people realize that they too can do something to help keep it healthy.”

Any student can participate in the Schuylkill Stories Contest, Drinking Water Scholastic Awards or both. The only requirement is they must reside in the Schuylkill River watershed, or the land which drains to the river.

To see if you live in the watershed, or for more information, please visit the Schuylkill Watershed School Contests.

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